Apparatus for splicing paper rolls

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for splicing a fully wound paper roll with a paper roll which is being continuously withdrawn, said paper rolls being rotatably supported by a mill stand. Means are provided for independently rotating the respective rolls, for cutting the paper of the exhausted roll and for splicing the end of the exhausted roll with the free end of the fully wound roll. The take-up end (free end) of the fully wound paper roll is temporarily fixed to the roll by a double-faced binding tape applied to the outer face of said take-up end portion.

Ilite States Patent [1 1 Tokuno [4 1 Feb. 4, 1975 1 APPARATUS FOR SPLICING PAPER ROLLS [75] Inventor: Masateru Tokuno,Nishinomiya,

21 Appl. No.: 310,703

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 3,217,999 11/1965 McDonald ..242/58.3

3,738,587 6/1973 Cristian 242/581 3,740,296 6/1973 McDonald 242/581 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 610,293 12/1960 Canada 242/583 Primary Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stewart and Kolasch, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates to an apparatus for splicing a fully wound paper roll with a paper roll which is being continuously withdrawn, said paper rolls being rotatably supported by a mill stand. Means are provided for independently rotating the respective rolls, for cutting the paper of the exhausted roll and for splicing the end of the exhausted roll with the free end of the fully wound roll. The take-up end (free end) of the fully wound paper roll is temporarily fixed to the roll by a double-faced binding tape applied to the outer face of said take-up end portion.

9 Claims, 34 Drawing Figures i g v 24 17b 20/ 252 I5 1252920 /7a 2a 2/! 215 L51 11/92 #21251. 55 12512791192 17R RSI fix E E PATENIED FEB 41975 SHEET [10F 13 PATENTED 41975 3,863,854

sum user 13 PATEHTEU H975 3,863,854 sum [80F 13 FIG.7

PATENTEU 41975 3. 863.854

SHEET OVUF 13 PATENTED 3,863,854 SHEET lOUF l3 PATENTED 41975 3.863.854 sum llUF 1a PATENTED EB SHEET 120F 13 PATENTED H975 3, 863 854 SHEET 130i i3 APPARATUS FOR SPLICING PAPER ROLLS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for sequentially splicing a new paper roll with a comparatively wide, long and heavy paper roll which is being continuously withdrawn more particularly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for splicing corrugated board medium paper rolls.

Conventionally, the splicing action of paper rolls which are being continuously withdrawn has been performed by the following operation. The respective paper rolls are supported by a paper roll supporting stand, hereinafter referred to as mill-stand, which allows a pair of paper rolls to be mutually faced and to be rotatably supported. Just before one of the rotating paper rolls is about to become exhausted, the rotating speed of said paper roll is considerably reduced to allow one operator to rotate the other unused roll manually and to allow another operator to hold the take up end of the paper roll. The rolling paper which is slowly pulled out is spliced by a binding agent or a binding tape, and the remaining portion of the paper roll which is substantially exhausted is cut away. In order to perform this kind of splicing operation of paper rolls, a series related processes must be reduced in speed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for splicing paper rolls wherein a new paper roll is spliced with an exhausted paper roll under a pulling operation without reducing the pulling out speed of the continuously rotating paper roll and without effecting the speed of the series of related processes associated therewith. The old paper roll which is immediately cut away can be discarded.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since variouschanges and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein,

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a standard version of an apparatus in accordance together with the present invention, with a mill stand,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 1, showing a mill stand supporting the paper roles and a predriver, with one portion thereof being cut away,

FIG. 3 shows the predrivers and a cutter, of the present invention, with the mill stand, as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a plane view showing the roll moving mechanism in the apparatus of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing air pressure circuits of the apparatus of the present invention,

FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively diagams showing electric circuits of the apparatus thereof as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 8 to 11 are respectively, a series of diagrams illustrating the splicing operation of the paper rolls by use of the apparatus thereof,

FIG. 12 is a section view showing one modified roll moving mechanism,

FIG. 13 is a side view showing another modified roll moving mechanism provided above the mill stand,

FIG. 14 is a front view showing the roll moving mechanism of FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 is a side view of the roll moving mechanism of FIG. 13 showing a modified type of swing arm oscillating mechanism,

FIG. 16 is a front view of the roll moving mechanism of FIG. 13 showing a modified type of rotation arm rotating mechanism,

FIGS. 17 to 20 are a series of diagrams illustrating the splicing operation of the paper rolls utilizing the roll moving mechanism as shown in FIGS. 13 to I6,

FIG. 21 is a side view showing a still another modified roll moving mechanism,

FIG. 22 is a section view taken along the line Y-Y in FIG. 21,

FIG. 23 is a section view taken along the line Z--Z in FIG. 21,

FIGS. 24 to 27 are respectively, a diagram illustrating the splicing operation ofthe paper rolls utilizing the roll moving mechanism as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23,

FIG. 28 is a side view showing the interior of a further modified roll moving mchanism with one portion cut out,

FIG. 29 is a plane view showing the roll moving mechanism of FIG. 28,

FIGS. 30 to 33 are respectively a diagram illustrating the splicing operation of the paper rolls utilizing the roll moving mechanism as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, and

FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the paper roll for a corrugated board medium which is spliced by the apparatus of the present invention.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter wherein paper rolls for a corrugated board medium are spliced within a corrugated board making machine. The standard model of the apparatus for splicing the paper rolls is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. As apparent from these drawings, the standard model of the apparatus for splicing the paper rolls consists of predrivers 2L and 2R provided in a mill stand 1 which rotatably supports the paper rolls, a cutter 3 provided in the mill stand 1, a pair of rolls 4L and 4R disposed above the mill stand 1, and a roll moving mechanism 5 for displacing the rolls 4L and 4R. In the mill stand 1, both ends of a T-shaped (in section) long core frame 13 are secured to the opposing side frames 12 and 12 to erect a foundation 11. One pair of arms 14L and ML for supporting the paper rolls are installed on the front face of the core frame 13, and another pair of arms 14R and 14R for supporting another paper roll are installed on the back face of the core frame 13. A plate 15 is secured to the top face of the core frame 13. A roll 16L for guiding the paper is installed, by bearings 16] and 161, on the end edge of the side of arms 14L and ML on the top face of the plate 15, while a roll 16R for guiding the paper is installed, by bearings 161 and 161, on the end edge of the side of arms 14R and 14R thereon. The mounting of a pair of arms ML and 14L and the pair of arms 14R and 14R on the core frame 13 is performed as follows; A pair of sliders 131 and 131 are respectively placed on the front face and back face sides of the core frames 13. Each slider 131 consists of two thick plate-like members 131a and 131a which are almost vertically-positioned and opposite to each other and, a coupler 13lb which is secured to these plate-like members 131a and 131a. The rear end of the arm 14L is rotatably engaged between the platelike members 131a and 131a on each slider 131 on the front side of the core frame 13, while the rear end of the arm 14R is rotatably engaged between the platelike members 131a and 131a on each slider 131 on the back side of the core frame 13. The upper and lower ends of each plate-like members 131a on each slider 131 are slidably engaged with the upper and lower rails 132 and 133 which are secured along the longitudinal direction to the core frame 13. The entire slider 131 is adapted to slide along the longitudinal direction of the core frame 13. A right female tapped hole (not shown) is provided at the reanend of one arm 14L, while a left female tapped hole (not shown) is provided at the rear end of the other arm 14L. The right female tapped hole of one arm 14L is spirally engaged with a right male screw of a screw shaft 17L (see FIGS. 1 and 2) placed on the front face side of the core frame 13. The left female tapped hole of the other arm 14L is spirally engaged with a left male screw 172 of the screw shaft 17L. Also, a right female tapped hole (not shown) is provided at the rear end of one arm 14R, while a left female tapped hole (not shown) is provided at the rear end of the other arm 14R. A right female tapped hole of one arm 14R is spirally engaged with a right male screw of a screw shaft 17R (see FIG. 2) located on the back side of the core frame 13, while a left female tapped hole of the other arm 14R is spirally engaged with a left male-screw of the screw shaft 17R. Each screw shaft is placed almost in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the core frame 13. Each screw is rotatably and slidably engaged with a pair of sliders 131 and 131 at its central portion, while itis rotatably fixed to the side frames 12 and 12 at both end portions. An auxiliary right female screw 17a is secured to one side of each pair of sliders 131 and 131, while an auxiliary left female screw 17b is secured to the other side, the respective female screws being spirally engaged with the screw shaft. The screw shaft 17L (screw shaft 17R) is normally and reversely driven by a proper driving means (not shown) built-in within the side frame 12, whereby a pair of arms 14L and 14L (a pair of arms 14R and 14R) are adapted to approach towards and separate from each other. The female screw 18 is provided in the respective rear ends of the arms 14L, 14L and 14R, 14R to provide an axis of rotation approximately in parallel with the screw shaft 17L (17R) and a short screw shaft 19 is spirally engaged with each female screw 18. The lower end of each screw shaft 19 is coupled through a universal joint (not shown) to a worm wheel (not shown) within a gear box 191 secured to the slider 13]. A worm (not shown) placed within the gear box 192 connected with the gear box 191 is engaged with a worm wheel within each gear box 191. The worms (not shown) within the gear boxes 192 and 192 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) located under the arms 14L and 14L are fixed by a key (not shown) to a shaft 20 with a groove to allow the shaft 20 to slide in the direction of the axis. Also, the worms (not shown) within the gear boxes 192 and 192 (see FIG. 2, in which one is shown) located under the arms 14R and 14R are fixed by a key (not shown) to another shaft 20 with a groove to allow the shaft 20 to slide in the direction of the axis. One shaft 20 with a groove (the other shaft 20 with groove) is rotatably fixed to the side frames 12 and 12 and is normally or reversely driven by a proper driving means (not shown), whereby the respective tip end of a pair of arms 14L and 14L (or a pair of arms 14R and 14R) are adapted to be elevated. A conical projection 141 is rotatably fixed to the tip end of the each arm. In a pair of arms 14L and 14L (or a pair of arms 14R and 14R), the projections 141 and 141 are in opposing face relationship with each other and are adapted to engage with both ends of the cylindrical stem of the paper roll by bringing the arms 14L and 14L (or a pair of arms 14R and 14R) together. The paper roll is lifted and rotatably supported by the ascending of the respective tip end portions of arms 14L and 14L (or a pair of arms 14R and 14R).

The predrivers 2L and 2R will be described hereinafter. As apparent from FIGS. 1 to 3, the predriver 2L is provided wiith a paper roll driving portion 21L and an air cylinder 23L, while the predriver 2R is also provided with a paper roll driving portion 21R and an air cylinder 23R. Each of the paper roll driving portions 21L and 21R for the predriver is composed of a pair of opposing plates 21] and 211, as a pulley supporting member, suspended rotatably from a plate 15 in the mill stand 1, an upper pulley 212 and a lower pulley 213 rotatably fixed to the plates 211 and 211, a narrow endless belt 214 entrained on the pulley 212 and lower pulley 213, and a mechanism for driving the upper pulley 212. The plates 211 and 211 in the paper roll driving portion 21L of the predriver 2L are obliquely erected somewhat forwardly of the screw shaft 17L and the shaft 20 with a groove which is disposed approximately in the middle portion between a pair of arms 14L and 14L in the stand 1. Also, the plates 211 and 211 in the paper roll driving portion 21R of the predriver 2R are obliquely erected somewhat forwardly of a screw shaft 17R and the shaft 20 with a groove which is disposed approximately in the middle portion be-' tween a pair of arms 14R and 14R in the stand 1. In each of the paper roll driving portion 21L and 21R, a shaft 215 which is almost in parallel with a screw shaft 17L (17R) is rotatably engaged with a pair of plates 211 and 211 at a somewhat lower portion fromthe upper end thereof. Both ends of the shaft 215 is supported by a pair of bearings 216 and 216 suspended from the lower face of the plate 15 in the .mill stand 1 and the plates 211 and 211 are rotatably suspended from the shaft 215. The upper pulley 212 is secured to the shaft 215 between the plates 211 and 211 in each paper roll driving portion. The lower pulley 213 is rotatably fixed, approximately in parallel with the upper pulley 212, to the lower end of the plates 211 and 211 and a narrow endless belt 214 is entrained on the upper pully 212 and lower pulley 213. A front edge portion of each plate 211 is cut out like a circular are so that the plate 211 does not contact the paper roll even when the belt 214 is curved in contact with the paper roll supported by the stand 1, as described later. The shaft 215 in the each paper roll driving portion projects to outer side of the single bearing 216 which supports itself. A chain gear 217 is secured to the projected end, said chain gear 217 being adjacent to another chain gear 218. An endless chain 219 is entrained on the chain gears 217 and 218. The chain gear 218 in the each paper roll driving portion is secured to a shaft 220 which is approximately in parallel with a screw shaft 17L (17R). One end of the shaft 220 is supported by a bearing 221 suspended from the lower face of the plate of the mill stand 1 near the single bearing 216, while the other end thereof extends near the side frame 12 on the single side and is supported by a bearing 222 suspended from the plate 15 near the side frame 12. A speed change gear 223 and a motor DMl, are gradually placed in piles above the bearing 222 in the paper roll driving portion 21L and are secured to the top face of the plate 15. A speed change gear 223 and a motor DMZ are gradually placed in piles above the bearing 222 in the paper roll driving portion 21R and are secured to the top face of the plate 15. In each paper roll driving portion, an endless belt 226 is entrained on a pulley 224 secured to the shaft of the motor DMl (DM2), and on a pulley 225 secured to the input shaft of the speed change gear 223, while an endless chain 229 is entrained on a chain gear 227 secured to the output shaft of the speed change gear 223, and on a chain gear 228 secured to the end of the shaft 220. Subsequently, an air cylinder 23L is erected behind a screw shaft 17L and a shaft 20 with groove, in opposition to the endless belt 214 of the driving portion 21L. An air cylinder 23R is erected behind a secrew shaft 17R and a shaft 20 with a groove, in opposition to the endless belt 214 of the driving portion 21R. In each of the air cylinders 23L and 23L, the head cover 232 is rotatably connected with the lower portion of the core frame 13, while the front end of the piston rod 231 is rotatably connected with a rod 230 secured to the upper end of the plates 21 1 and 211 of the paper roll driving portion 21L (paper roll driving portion 21R in case of the piston rod 231 of the air cylinder 23R). The plates 211 and 211 are rotated to separate the belt 214 from the paper roll supported by the mill stand 1 through projec' tion of the piston rod 231 and to sufficiently contact the belt 214 with the paper roll through retraction of the piston rod 231. A supporting rod 24 is respectively placed on the front face and back face side of the core frame 13 and the both ends are secured to the side frames 12 and 12. A limit switch LS1 for controlling the driving of the predriver 2L is fixed to the supporting rod 24 on the front face side of the core frame 13. When the belt 214 of the driving portion 21L is located in a position close to the supporting rod 24 sufficiently away from the paper roll, the limit switch LS1 is pushed by a plate 211 to cause the normally closed contact (hereinafter referred to as B contace) to be opened. A limit switch RS1 for driving and controlling the predriver 2R is fixed to the supporting rod 24 on the back face side of the core frame 13. When the belt 214 of the driving portion 21R is located in a position close to the supporting rod 24 sufficiently away from the paper roll, the limit switch RS1 is pushed by the plate 211 to cause the B contact to be opened.

The cutter 3 is described hereinafter. As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutter 3 is provided with a knife 31, and an air cylinder 36 for elevating the knife 31. The knife 31 is slightly wider than the paper roll, and the edges 311 thereof is in the form of successivelyconnected triangles. The knife 31 is placed, along the longitudinal direction of the plate 15, on the top face of the plate 15 of the mill stand 1, and is obliquely erected on the top face of the plate 15 so that the edges 311 may cut sufficiently into the paper roll moving almost horizontally above the cutter 3 when the knife 31 is raised tracing circular arcs as described later. One end of the parallel arms 32 and 32 is secured to the knife 31. Arms 32 and 32 extend almost horizontally approximately at a right angle to the knife 31 and the other end of said arms is secured to a shaft 33 placed almost parallel with the knife 31. Both ends of the shaft 33 are supported by a pair of bearings 34 and 34 secured to the top face of the plate 15. The end 331 of the single side extends through a bearing 34 and the lower end of substantially vertical arm 34 is secured to the projected end 331. The tip end of the piston rod 361 of the air cylinder 36 is rotatably connected with the upper end on the arm 35, while the head cover 362 of the air cylinder 36 is rotatably connected with the top face of the plate 15, the knife 31 being adapted to ascend by projection of the piston rod 361 and to descend by retraction of the piston rod 361.

An air-pressure circuit relating to air cylinders 23L and 23R in the predrivers 2L and 2R and to the air cylinder 36 in the cutter 3 is shown in FIG. 5. Referring now to FIG. 5, an air feeding pipe 24 is connected to a proper compressed air source, and a filter 241, a pressure regulating valve 242 and a lubricator 243 are connected toward the middle of the pipe 24. The pipe 24 is connected with ports 262 and 262 of electromagnetic valves 26L and 26R through pipes 25 and 25, and also is connected with the port 382 of an electromagnetic valve 38 through a pipe 37. An air port 233 (233) on the head cover side of the air cylinder 23L (23R) is connected with the port 264 (port 264 of electromagnetic valve 26R) of the electromagnetic valve 26L by a pipe 27 (27), while an air port 234 (234) on the rod cover side is connected with the port 265 (port 265 of electromagnetic valve 26R) of the electromagnetic valve 26L by a pipe 28 (28). Also speed controllers 291 and 292 for slowly operating the piston rod 231 (231) of the air cylinder 23L (23R) are connected toward the middle of the pipes 27 and 28 (pipes 27 and 28). An air port 363 on the head cover side of the air cylinder 36 is connected with the port 385 of the electromagnetic valve 38 by a pipe 391, while an air port 364 on the side of the rod cover is connected with the port 384 of the electromagnetic valve 38 by a pipe 392. Electromagnetic valves 26L, 26R and 38 are of a spring off set type with a four-port two-position electromatnetic valve. FIG. 5 shows how solenoids 261L, 261R and 381 are demagnetized. Under this condition, the port 262 is connected with the port 264 and the port 263 is connected with the port 265 in each of the electromagnetic valves 26L and 26R. The air pressure is fed from the respective port 233 of the air cylinder 23L and 23R into a cylinder tube, and the piston rod 231 of each air cylinder is projected. In each of the predrivers 2L and 2R, the belt 214 is kept away from the paper roll supported by the mill stand 1. As the electromagnetic valves 26L (26R) are excited the port 262 of each electromagnetic valve is connected with the port 265, and the port 263 is connected with the port 264. The compressed air is fed from the port 234 (234) of the air cylinders 23L (23R) into the cylinder tube thereby retracting the piston rod 231 (231), whereby the belt 214 (214) of the predriver 2L (2R) is put into a condition for rotating into the paper roll side. On a condition where the solenoid 381 of the electromagnetic valve 38 is demagnetized, the port 382 and port 383 of the valve 38 are respectively connected with the port 382 and port 385. The compresed air is fed from the port 364 of the air cylinder 36 into the cylinder tube. Thus, the piston rod 361 is retracted and the knife 31 of the cutter 3 is lowered. As the solenoid 381 of the electromagnetic valve 38 is excited, the port 382 and port 383 are respectively connected with the port 385 and port 384. The compressed air is fed from the port 363 of the air cylinder 36 into the cylinder tube to cause the piston rod 361 to project, whereby the knife 31 is put into a condition where the knife is elevated. Subsequently, a pair of rolls 4L and 4R are placed above the mill stand 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. They are almost parallel with each other and are almost parallel with the longitudinal direction of the mill stand 1. Each of the rolls 4L and 4R is wider than the paper roll. The surface circumferential face of the respective roll is covered with elastic rubber 40 and the outer diameter of the respective roll is approximately equal. A roll moving mechanism 5 for displacing the rolls 4L and 4R is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. As apparent from these drawings, the roll moving mechanism 5 is provided with a pair of outer arms 51 and 51 for suspending one roll 4L from frames 53 and 53 above the mill stand 1, a pair ofinner arms 52 and 52 for suspending the other roll 4R from the frames 53 and 53, a mechanism for oscillating the outer arms 51 and 51, and a mechanism for oscillating the inner arms 52 and 52. The outer arms 51 and 51 are respectively in the form of an L and are placed in parallel with each other. Bearings (not shown) are built-in at the lower end of the arms 51 and 51 and the roll 4L. is rotatably supported by these bearings. The upper end of each arm 51 is secured'to a shaft 511 which is almost parallel to the roll 4L and the shaft 511 is placed above one paper guiding roll 16L of the stand 1. The frames 53 and 53 are supported almost horizontally above the stand 1, approximately at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the stand 1, and plates 531 and 531 are suspended from the frames 53 and 53. Both ends of the shaft 511 are supported by a pair of bearings 512 and 512 which are secured to the plates 531 and 531. The end of the single side of the shaft 511 extends through the bearings 512 and is connected with an output shaft 5130 of a speed change gear'53l. An input shaft 513b of the speed change gear 513 is connected with a shaft 515 of the motor M1 through a torque limiter 514. The torque limiter 514 consists of successively engaging, with the input shaft 5l3b of the speed change gear 513, a disc 514a, a coil spring 514b, a friction plate 514c and a chain gear 514d with a friction face being formed on a face opposing a firction plate 5140, of respectively securing the disc 514a to the shaft 513b, one end of the coil spring 514b to the disc 514a, and the friction plate 514C to the other end of the coil spring 514b, of rotatably mounting the chain gear 514d on the shaft 513b so as not to move in the axis direction of the shaft 5131) thereby causing the friction plate 514C to contact under pressure with the friction face of the chain gear 514d by an elastic restoring force of the coil spring 514b, of securing a chain gear 514e, which is aligned with the chain gear 514:! in the axis, to the shaft 515 of the motor M1 and entraining a double-chain 514f, which is made by connecting two endless chains, thereby connecting the chain gear 514d with the chain gear 5142. As described later, the outer arms 51 and 51 are oscillated by the motor Ml thereby causing the roll 4L to contact, through the paper roll I supported by arms 14R and 14R, with the paper roll supported by the arms 14L and 14L of the stand 1. As a result, the friction plate 5140 and the chaing gear 514d slide upon the application of a given load to the disc 514a and the driving of the motor Ml. However, the outer arms 51 and 51 are adapted to be suspended in operation. The change speed gear 513 and the motor M1 are secured to the frame 54 placed above the side frame 12. A pair of inner arms 52 and 52, which are also L-shaped respectively, are placed in parallel with each other and between the outer arms 51 and 51. A roll 4R is rotatably supported at the lower end of each arm 51. The upper end of each arm 52 is secured to a shaft 521 which is approximately in parallel with the roll 4R.

The shaft 521 is placed above the other paper guiding roll 16R ofthe stand 1, the both ends thereof being supported by a pair of bearings 522 and 522 secured to the plates 531 and 531. The end on the single side of the shaft 521 extends through a bearing 522 and connects with the output shaft 523a of the speed change gear 523. The input shaft 52312 of the speed change gear 523 is connected, through the torque limiter 524, with the shaft 525 of the motor M2. The speed change gear 523 and the motor M2 are also secured to the frame 54. The speed change gear 523 is of the same construction as the speed change gear 513, while the motor M2 is also of the same construction as the motor M1. The torque limiter 524 is also of the same construction as the torque limiter 514 and is provided with a disc 524a, a coil spring 524b, a friction plate 5240, a chain gear 524d, a chain gear 524e and a double-chain 524f. The length of the each outer arm 51 and each inner arm 52 and the position of the shafts 511 and 521 are so arranged that the outer arms 51 and 51, and the inner arms 52 and 52 may by crossed as viewed from the arm side as shown in FIG. 2 to allow the rolls 4L and 4R to be placed at a maximum top limit, while the rolls 4L and 4R may contact with the fully wound paper roll 6, which is supported by the mill stand 1, by lowering any one of rolls through oscillation of' the arm from the maximum top limit. A frame 532, which is approximately in parallel with the shaft, is placed above the middle portion between the shafts 511 and 521 and is secured to the frames 53 and 53. A plate 533 is secured to the lower face of the frame 532, and one end of the plate 533 is confronted with a shaft 511. The limit switches LS2, LS3 and LS4 controlling the motor Ml are in parallel fixed to the one end. Also, the other end of the plate 533 is confronted with a shaft 521. The limit switches RS2, RS3 and RS4 for controlling the motor M2 are secured to the other end thereof. Each limit switch is thereby pushed to open the B contact. A ring 516 provided with a projection 516a, a ring 517 provided with a projection 517a, and a ring 518 provided with a projection 518a are fixedly seucred to the shaft 511 and face the limit switches LS2, LS3 and LS4. When the roll 4L is placed at the maximum top limit, the projection 516a of the ring 516 pushes the limit switch LS2. When the roll 4L approaches the fully wound paper roll supported by the stand 1 through the oscillation of the arms 51 and 51, the projection 518a of the ring 518 pushes the limit LS4. When the roll 4L reaches the maximum bottom limit, while descending from a position close to the paper roll, the projection 517a of the ring 517 pushes the limit switch LS3. Also,

a ring 526 provided with a projection 526a, a ring 527 provided with a projection 527a, and a ring 528 provided with a projection 528a are fixedly seucred to the shaft 521, and face the limit switches RS2, RS3 and RS4. When the roll 4R is placed at the mximum top limit, the projection 526a of the ring 526 pushes the limit switch RS1. When the roll 4R approaches the full wound paper roll supported by the stand 1, being lowered through the oscillation of the arms 52 and 52, the projection 528a of the ring 528 pushes the limit switch RS4. When the roll 4R reaches to the maximum bottom line while descending from a position close to the paper roll, the projection 527a of the ring 527 pushes the limit switch RS3.

An approach switch APS is mounted at the lower end of the inner arm 52, while a disc 42 provided with blades 421, 421 and 421 is secured to the shaft 41 of the roll 4R. The rotation of the roll 4R rotates a disc 42, whereby each blade 421 is equipped to sequentially approach towards and separate from the approach switch APS. (see FIGS. 1 and 2) Electric circuits of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention are described in FIGS. 6 and 7. Referring now to these drawings, the RS1, RS2, RS3 and RS4 (FIG. 6) are the limit switches, while the LS1, LS2, LS3 and LS4 (FIG. 7) are also limit switches. M2 (FIG. 6) and M1 (FIG. 7) are the motors in the roll moving mechanism 5, while DMZ and DM1 (FIG. 6) are the motors in the predrivers 2R and 2L. Z shows a proportional controlling board, and DCT is a motor for detecting speed. The motor DCT, which is placed in a proper place of the corrugate machine (not shown), detects the pulling out speed of the paper roll supported by the stand 1 and operates the motor DM2 or DMl for proportional controlling through the proportional controlling board Z, whereby the belt 214 of the predriver 2R or 2L is rotated while setting the pulling speed of the roll papenNumerals 261R (FIG. 6) and 261L (FIG. 7) are solenoids for the electromagnetic valves 26R and 26L (see FIG. 5) in the predrivers 2R and 2L. Numeral 381 (FIG. 6) is a solenoid for the electromagnetic valve 38 (see FIG. 5) in the cutter 3. S-R (FIG. 6) and its corresponding S-L (FIG. 7) are re spectively a switch which prepare the splicing operation. PB-Rl (FIG. 6) and its corresponding PB-Ll (FIG. 7) are respectively a switch for operating the predriver. PB-R2 (FIG. 6) and its corresponding RB-L2 (FIG. 7) are respectively a switch for the splicing operation. PB-R3 (FIG. 6) and its corresponding PB-L3 (FIG. 7) are respectively a switch for resetting. PB-R4 (FIG. 6) and its corresponding PB-L4 (FIG. 7) are respectively a switch for emergency. These switches are respectively a push button switch provided with a contact which opens through automatic restoration if off hands. ESR (FIG. 6) and its corresponding ESL (FIG. 7) are respectively a relay for emergency stop and ESRo (FIG. 6) and ESLo (FIG. 7) are B contacts Ro (FIG. 6) and its corresponding Lo (FIG. 7) are relays for locking and R01 (FIG. 7) and Lol (FIG. 6) are the B contact. MUR, MDR (FIG. 6) and these corresponding MUL, MDL (FIG. 7) are relays. MURo, MDRo (FIG. 6) MULo, MDLo (FIG. 7) are respectively a normally opened contact (hereinafter referred to as A contact), while MURl, MDRl (FIG. 6) and MULl, MDL1 (FIG. 7) are respectively the B contact. R1, R2, R3, R4 (FIG. 6) and these corresponding L1, L2, L3, L4 (FIG. 7) are respectively a relay which is series-connected with a limit switch. R11 is the A contact (FIG. 6) for the relay R1. R21, R22, R23 and R24 are respectively the A contact for the relay R2. R31 and R32 are the A contact for the relay R3. R41 is the A contact for the relay R4. L11 is the A contact for the relay L1. L21, L22, L23 and L24 are respectively the A contact for the relay L2. L31 and L32 are respectively the A contact for the relay L3. L4] is the A contact for the relay L4. (FIG. 7). CR1, CR2, CR3, CR4, CR5 (FIG. 6) and the corresponding CLl, CL2, CL3, CL4, CLS (FIG. 7) are relays. CRII, CRI2 and CR13 are the A contacts for the relay CR1. CR21 and CR22 are the A contacts for the relay CR2. CR3l and CR32 are the A contact for the relay CR3. CR41 is the A contact for the relay CR4. CR51 and CR52 are the A contact for the relay CR5. CR42 is the B contact for the relay CR4. (FIG. 6). Also. CL11, CL12 and CLI3 are the A contact for the relay CL1. CL21 and CL22 are the A contact for the relay CL2. CL31 and CL32 are the A contact for the relay CL3. CL41 is the A contact for the relay CL4. CL51 and CL52 are the A contact for the relay CLS. CL42 is the B contact for the relay CL4. (FIG. 7).TR1, TR3, TR4, TR5 (FIG. 6) and these corresponding TLl, TL3, TL4, TL5 (FIG. 7) are timers. TR10 is the A contact for the relay TR]. TR31 is the A contact for the relay TR3. TRSI and TR52 are the A contact for the relay TRS. TR32 is the B contact for the relay TR3. TR40 is the B contact for the relay TR4. (FIG. 6). Also, TLlO is the A contact for the relay TLl. TL31 is the A contact for the relay TL3. TL51 and TL52 are the A contact for the relay T15. (FIG. 7). TL32 (FIG. 6) is the B contact for the relay TL3. TL40 (FIG. 7) is the B contact for the relay TL4. DMR, MR (FIG. 6) and these corresponding DML, ML (FIG. 7) are relays. DMRo, MRO (FIG. 6) and DMLo, MLo (FIG. 6) are the A contact. Also, TGR (FIG. 6) and its corresponding TGL (FIG. 7) are relays. TGRo (FIG. 6) and TGLo (FIG. 6) is the A contact, Dl-IC is a digital counter. DHCo is the A contact for the relay contained within the counter DHC. APS is'the approach switch'(FIG. 6) provided at the lower end of the inner arm 52 of the roll moving mechanism 5.

A1 and A2 (FIG. 6) are relays. All and A12 are the B and A contact for the relay A1. A21, A22 (FIG. 6) and A23 (FIG. 7) corresponding to A22 are the A contact for the relay A2. A24 is the B contact for the relay A2. Marks containing a letter R among the switch, the switch contact, the relay and the relay contact as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are used for controlling the motor M2, the motor DM2, the solenoid 261R and the solenoid 381 in splicing the paper roll supported by the arms 14R and 14R with the paper roll supported by the arms 14L and 14L of the mill stand 1. Also, the marks containing a letter L are used for controlling the motor M1, the motor DMl, the solenoid 261L and the solenoid 381 in splicing the paper roll supported by the arms 14L and 14L with the paper roll supported by the arms 14R and 14R of the mill stand 1. The motor DCT, the approach switch APS, the digital counter DI-IC, the relay A1 and the relay A2 are operated in the any splicing operations. FIG. 34 shows one example of a paper roll 6 for the corrugated board medium which is spliced by the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Each paper roll shown by marks 6A, 6B, 6C in the specifications and drawings is respectively the same as the paper roll 6.

Almost the same in length and width, double facebinding tapes 602 and 602 are applied upon the paper roll 6 with each of the portions 601b excluding the central part 601a of the outer face 601 of the take-up end 60. The belt 214 of the predriver contacts the central portion 601a of the take-up end 60 when the paper roll 6 is supported by the mill stand 1 and is rotated by the predriver 2L or 2R, whereby the double-face-binding tape is not applied upon the central part 601a. Each double-face-binding tape 602 is applied along the circumferential direction of the paper roll from a position very close to the end edge of the face 601 of the pulling out end 60. A much smaller double-face-binding tape 603 than the tape 602 is applied near each double-facebinding tape 602 across the end edge portion of the face 601, and the paper roll face 601A upon which the take-up end 60 lies, the take-up end 60 being temporarily fixed to the paper roll face 601A. The double-facebinding tape is provided with a force and area binding enough to splice the take-up end 60 of the new paper roll 6 with the paper roll 6 being pulled out while splitting smoothly from the paper roll face 601A when the paper roll 6 (6A or 6B) pulled out continously as described later is contacted with a new paper roll 6 (6B for 6A, or 6C for 68) which is already rotating. The central portion of the take-up end 60 of the paper roll 6 has a cut out triangular portion so that the take-up end 60 is not broken in the splicing operation.

The, the paper roll splicing operation performed by the apparatus in accordance with the present invention is described hereinafter.

In order to splice the paper roll 6A, which is rotatably supported by the arms 14L and 14L of the mill stand 1 and is being continuously pulled out, with the paper roll 68, which is rotatably supported by the arms 14R and 14R of the stand 1, the paper roll 6A is pulled out between the roll 4L and 4R, while rotating in the direction of an arrow a as shown in FIG. 8. The paper roll 6A is'continously pulled out while rotating the roll'4R in contact therewith. The pulled out paper roll 6A is guided to a proper guiding roll 71 (see FIG. 2) and is moved to the next process. At such a steady state, the belt 214 of each predriver is retreated to a supporting rod 24 (see FIG. 2). The limit switches RS1 and RS1 are pushed by plates 211 and 211, and are opened. At such a steady state, the limit switch RS2 is pushed by the projection 526a of the ring 526 and thus is opened, while the limit switch LS2 is pushed by the projection 5160 of the ring 516 and thus is also opened. However, the limit switches RS3, RS4, LS3, LS4 are closed. (see FIG. 4). At such a steady state, the limit switch RS1 (LS1) is opened and the relay R1 (L1) is not excited as apparent from the electric circuits shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Accordingly, the A contact R11 (L11) of the relay R1 (L1) is open and thus the relay DMR (DML) is not excited. The A contact DMRo (DMLo) is open and thus the motor DM2 of the predriver 2R and the motor DMl of the predriver 2L are suspended. Also, as the limit switch RS2 (LS2) is open, and the relay R2 (L2) is not excited, the A contact R22 (L22) is open. Accordingly, the relay MUR (MUL) is not excited and the A contact MURo (MULo) is open. Also, as the switch S-R (S-L) is open, the current does not flow to the relay CR1 (CR1) and the A contact CR13 (CL13) is open. Furthermore, as the A contact R24 (L24) of the relay R2 (L2) is open and the relay CR3 (CL3) is not excited, the A contact CR3] (CR31) is open.

Therefore, the relay MDR (MDL) is not excited and the A contact MDRo (MDLo) is open. As the contacts MURo, MDRo, MULo and MDLo are open like this, the motors M2 and M1 in the roll moving mechanism are stopped. Also, the R23 (L23) of the relay R2 (L2) is open and the electromagnetic valve 26R (26L) or the solenid 261R (261L), which is connected with the air cylinder 23R (23L), is not excited. The piston rod 231 (231) of the air cylinder 23R (23L) is prol0 jected. Also, as the R2 (L2) is not excited. the A contact R21 (L21) is open. As the relay R3 (L3) is excited, the contact A R31 (L31) and R32 (L32) are closed. As the relay R4 (L4) is excited, the A contact R41 (L41) is closed.

In order to splice the paper roll 6A, which is reduced in thickness, with the paper roll 68, a switch S-R for preparation is first closed. The closure of the switch S-R excites the CR1, whereby the A contacts CRll, CR12 and CR13 are closed. The closure of the contact CRll excites the relay R0 for locking. The closure of the contact CR12 which is in parallel with the switch S-R keeps exciting CR1 for self-holding. The closure of the contact CR13 also excites the relay MDR. As the relay CR1 is excited for selfholding, the switch S-R is properly opened. The excitation of the'relay R0 for locking openes the B contact R01 (see FIG. 7) of the relay Ro which is connected with a control circuit with respect to the motors DM1 and M1, and the solenoid 261L. Also, as the relay MDR is excited, the contact MDRo is closed to cause the motor M2 to start to rotate, whereby the rotating power is transmitted to the shaft 521 (see FIG. 4) through the torque limiter 524 and the speed change gear 523. A 'pair of the inner arms 52 and 52 are oscillated in the direction of an arrow b as shown in FIG. 8 and the roll. 4R descends, pulling the paper from the paper roll 6A with it. As the B contact MDR is opened'when the relay MDR has been excited, the current does not flow to the relay MUR. Accordingly, as the A contact MURo is kept open, the motor M2 is not driven reversely. As the roll 4R'begins to descend, a ring 526 attached to the shaft 521 is also rotated, whereby the projection 526a is separated from the limit switch RS2 thereby closing the limit swtch RS2. The closure of the limit switch RS2 excites the relay R2 to cause'the A contacts R21, R22, R23 and R24 to be closed. Asthe contact R21 is closed, the relay R0 for locking is excited and is kept excited until the roll 4R returns to the maximum top limit again after completing all of the processes for opening the limit switch RS2.'When the roll 4R has descended close to the paper roll 68, a ring 528 attached to the shaft 521 pushes the limit switich RS4 to open the limit switch RS4. The opening of the limit switch RS4 demagnetizes the relay R4 and the A contact R41 is opened, whereby the relay CR1 is demagnetized. When the relay CR1 is demagnetized, the A contact CR13 is opened and the relay MDR is demagnetized. The A contact MDRo of the relay MDR is opened to stop the motor M2 and the descent of the roll 4R is also stopped. Thus, the preparation of the splicing operation is completed. The relay CR2 is excited by pushing a switch PB-Rl and thus the A contact CR21, which is in parallel with the switch PB-Rl, is closed. Accordingly, the relay CR2 is maintained in the excited state for self-holding. The excitation of the relay CR2 excites a solenoid 261R of the electromagnetic valve 26R through the contact CR21, whereby the piston rod 231 

1. iAn apparatus for splicing a running web which is being continuously withdrawn from an expiring roll with a fresh fully wound web roll without interrupting the continuous operation thereof which comprises a mill stand, said fully wound roll and said expiring roll being rotatably supported by said mill stand in mutually opposed positions, means for rotating said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, respectively, guide roll means disposed in said mill stand between said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, cutting means supported in the mill stand and associated with said guide roll means for cutting the web running from the expiring roll after the splicing operation has been achieved, and an assembly of web shifting roller means disposed above said mill stand and above said web rolls, said assembly of web shifting roller means comprising a pair of opposing outer arms and a pair of opposing inner arms, each of said pairs of arms being rotatably mounted at their one end above said mill stand and each of said other ends of said pairs of arms being provided with a web pushing roller which is adapted to engage the running web being drawn from the expiring roll and means for independently displacing said pairs of arms containing said web pushing rollers and the web associated therewith from a position above the web rolls to the cutting means and into engaging relationship with the fully wound web roll whereby the leading end of the fresh web roll is spliced with the running web of the expiring roll.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the free end portion of the fresh fully wound web roll is releasably fixed to the surface of the roll and at least a portion of the exposed surface of said free end is provided with a binding agent.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for rotating either the fully wound roll or the expiring roll comprises a conveyor belt, means for rotating said conveyor belt and means for bringing said conveyor belt into engaging and disengaging relationship with said web rolls.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutting means comprises a knife disposed between said web rolls below the guide roll means, said knife being mounted on an arm which in turn is rotatably mounted in the mill stand and means for rotating said arm to raise the knife into a cutting position.
 5. An apparatus for splicing a running web which is being continuously withdrawn from an expiring roll with a fresh fully wound web roll without interrupting the continuous operation thereof which comprises a mill stand, said fully wound and said expiring roll being rotatably supported by said mill stand in mutually opposed positions, means for rotating said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, respectively, guide roll means disposed in said mill stand between said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, cutting means supported in the mill stand and associated with said guide roll means for cutting the web running from the expiring roll after the splicing operation has been achieved, and an assembly of web shifting roller means disposed above said mill stand and above said web rolls, said assembly of web shifting roller means comprising a pair of opposing rotating arms connected at their end portions by a pair of web pushing rollers which are adapted to engage the running web being drawn from the expiring roll, said rotating arms being rotatably mounted at their center portion to a pair of opposing swinging arms, and means for independently displacing said swing arms containing said web pushing rollers and the web associated therewith to either side from a position above the web rolls to the cutting means and into engaging relationship with the fully wound web roll whereby the leading end of the fresh web is spliced with the running web of the expiring roll.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a rotating arm mechanism is provided for rotating the swing arms in one direction while simultaneously rotating the rotating arms in the opposite direction.
 7. An appAratus for splicing a running web which is being continuously withdrawn from an expiring roll with a fresh fully wound web roll without interrupting the continuous operation thereof which comprises a mill stand, said fully wound roll and said expiring roll being rotatably supported by said mill stand in mutually opposed positions, means for rotating said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, respectively, guide roll means disposed in said mill stand between said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, cutting means supported in the mill stand and associated with said guide roll means for cutting the web running from the expiring roll after the splicing operation has been achieved, and an assembly of web shifting roller means disposed above said mill stand and above said web rolls, said assembly of web shifting roller means comprising a first pair of opposing arms connected at their end portion with a web pushing roller and a second pair of opposing arms connected at their end portion with a web pushing roller, said web pushing rollers being adapted to engage the running web being drawn from the expiring roll, and means for independently displacing said first and second pair of opposing arms containing said web pushing rollers and the web associated therewith along a straight path from a position above the web rolls to the cutting means and into engaging relationship with the fully wound web roll whereby the leading end of the fresh web is spliced with the running web of the expiring roll.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of said pair of opposing arms containing said web pushing rollers is disposed so as to engage a different web roll.
 9. An apparatus for splicing a running web which is being continuously withdrawn from an expiring roll with a fresh fully wound web roll without interrupting the continuous operation thereof which comprises a mill stand, said fully wound roll and said expiring roll being rotatably supported by said mill stand in mutually opposed positions, means for rotating said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, respectively, guide roll means disposed in said mill stand between said fully wound roll and said expiring roll, cutting means supported in the mill stand and associated with said guide roll means for cutting the web running from the expiring roll after the splicing operation has been achieved, and an assembly of web shifting roller means disposed in a frame suspended above said mill stand and above said web rolls, said assembly of web shifting roller means comprising a pair of opposing rotating arms connected at their end portions by a pair of web pushing rollers which are adapted to engage the running web being drawn from the expiring roll, said opposing rotating arms being pivotably mounted in said frame above said mill stand, and means for selectively displacing either end portion containing said web pushing roller and the web associated therewith to either side from a position above the web roll to the cutting means and into engaging relationship with the fully wound web roll whereby the leading end of the fresh web roll is spliced with the running web of the expiring roll. 